Paper cup machine



Aug 11, 1931. Q $M|TH 1,818,279

PAPER CUP MACHINE Filed Feb 12, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 11, 1931. c $M|TH 1,818,279

' PAPER CUP MACHINE Filed Feb. 12. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 11, 1931. c. F. SMITH PAPER CUP MACHINE Filed Feb. 12. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 [07 y 15 b3 5 112 [Z Patented Aug. Eli, 1931 cHAnLEs E. SMITH, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO LILY-TULIP CU]? COR- PORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE PAPER CU]? MACHINE Application filed February 12, 1930. Serial No. 427,687.

The object of this invention is to furnish improved mechanism for turning in and closely folding down therims of paper cups, and is in the nature of an improvement upon portions of the operating mechanism of the paper cup machine disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 181375 filed April 6, 1927. The machine of such prior application is designed to concurrently perform work upon the cup forming material at each of a number of stations through which the material for each cup progressively passes until the cup is discharged as a finished product. The present improvements relate to mechanismfor accomplishing one ma or result in the finished cupa closely folded inturned rir'nin two major operations at two stations.

In the drawings accompanying this specification a form of machine which has been used for carrying out my invention and which may be regarded as the preferred form is illustrated, in which drawings,

Figure 1 is atop view of part of a cup making machine showing a segment of a rotary carrier upon which are mounted two cup holders respectively located at two worl; stations, which stations are equipped with a form of mechanism for carrying out my present invention.

Fig. 2 represents the nearly finished cup which is to be finished at the two stations illustrated.

Fig. 3 is a representation of the cup after being worked upon at the first station.

Fig. 4 shows the cup after having been finished at the second station.

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing the mechanism of the first station.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on a plane at about the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a similar section taken at about the plane of the line 7-7.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the mechanism of the second station.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale of the first station.

Fig. 10 is a face view of the left-hand end of the head represented in Fig. 9.

Fig. 10a is a further enlarged sectional detail of this head.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical section of the second station.

Fig. 12 is a detail showing some of the parts represented in Fig. 11. In Fig. 11 the mandrel and pressing guide are about to enter the cup. In Fig. 12 these parts have entered the cup and are shown as having practically completed their work, and

Fig. 13 is a face view of the left-hand end of the head represented in Fig. 11.

The particular form of cup illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 has a body portion 15 formed from a number of sheets of paper one about the other, the top edge or brim of the cup being formed by turning inwardly a portion 16 located at the outer edge and closely folding this down upon the body, see Fig. 4.

Nhile my present improvements are adapt ed to be used upon various types of round paper bodies, and may be used in connection with various kinds of forming and holding devices, yet they are peculiarly adapted for use in the machine described in my copending application above identified.

In the drawings the device for holding the cups is designated by the reference character 17. A plurality of these cup holders are generally employed in cup making machines, and are mounted upon a circular rotary carrier, a segment of the carrier being shown in Figure 1 and designated 18, upon which carrier two cup holders 17 are represented and are assumed to be mounted radially of the axis of the rotation of the carrier 18.

In Fig. 9 the first portion of the operation is illustrated, namely, that of turning inwardly the outer edge 16 of the cup seen in Fig. 2, this being accomplished at the first station. The product, Fig. 3, of the first station is shown at the second station in Fig.

l, and the completed product, Fig. 4, of the second ation. in which the inturned flange has been closely folded down at the rim of the cup, is represented in its final formative stage in Fig. 12.

It. will be assumed that the cup holders 17 are continuously rotated in some convenient manner, preferably by power applied mechanism for turnthe shell one.

. is deeper similarly .ulil is Lil n com- Q n+1 .2.1.1 i ed by means or the essence or one plunger line outer ends the .c 1 own. as iorwsroiy our ved turning i herein i i is mounted for E'GCiQw. tion. Within a bearing; F

furnished 1 which which is upstandfroni at base nieinher 22? mounted 'for ad 1e frame 2 The stem er extends through member ase 2?. The shaft 29 Within these hearither with the shell endently oi? these. overthrow of asses through a cap .n member 30, the

passine w v form-e is opted to rigs end also Q and shanir 25 or LmiilcCl J a supporting; longitudinat Key i ernen with the turning in .5! J" it once 0a the -snh 25 Where it finds of sufcient strength to cause the con 3 die to effect the turning; in movement erior to the engagement of the on; by the piunger After the brim 16 has been turned in a sufiicient amount, the resistance encountered if) by the shell 220 by its engagement either with the Work or with the front end oi? the cup holder 17 halts the advance of such shelh while the nlunger advances and moves the Working races of the cogs 23 beyond t. 0 Te working faces of the cogs 521, thus cornple ing the initial inward bending or turning or the brim 16..

The reciprocating movement of the 111 or shaft 29 is effected in the followinn" ni nas n r, particular reference being had to Figure 1., first station, and to Figs. 5, 6 7 and E):

A ring 33 having a groove in it for the en ochnuts 3d. The shifter fork 35 carries s. )air of engaging members 36 running; in the groove of the ring The shifter tori: is mounted on a rock shaft 3-? extendin down Wardiy through the mac iine frame and at its 98- loWer end carrying a rock arm 38. The rocking 01 the arm 38 is eilected in the to. lowing sinner the power coming from what may be termed the main shaft 30 Which driven in some convenient manner and carries a s5 miter gear 40 meshing with a miter gear 4:1 fast on a shaft 42. The shaft 4-2 has at its other end a miter gear 43 meshing with a miter gear 4&- mounted on the end of a tubular shaft i5 which surrounds the shaft and N0 is interposed between s portion of the lower end of the shaft 37 and its lower hearing 4.1 .'i rock shaft 426 is mounted substanti-iy parallel to the shafts 37 455, end carries a arni t! having a cam member running in earn groove in a earn Wheei fast upon the shaft 15. The lower end oi the rock shaft 46 carries it rock arm 50 which is osciiletory movement to the s reel: arm 50 which in tur; IP01. linlr 51 rocks arm 33, the share L t shi 'ter forlt The cars groove i9 s v i the W0} r ano. held in.

.e e DEGLEEL,

Withdraw position for lone er t more extended portion o The f iding dorm inec he termed ire-meg on turned in rim is illustrated at the second station in Figure l and in Figs. 8, 11, 12 and 13. After the Withdrawal of the compound die comprising the shell 20 and plunger 22 from the cup acted upon at the first station, the carrier 18 advances one step and moves the cup into the second station, see Fig. 11, whereupon a combined folding and pressing device, which is positively rotated, acts upon the inturned rim. The folding and pressing mechanism comprises a wheel v60, having a bevelled edge 61 adapted to preliminarily engage the inturned rim 16, and a perimeter 62 adapted to follow along the entire extent of the rim and fold this against the body of the cup. In cooperation with the wheel are a number of jaws or pressing members 63 which move outwardly and engage the outer portion only of the rim for bending this more sharply. The operative head at the second station is shown supported by a casting 64 having at its rear a bearing 65 which supports one end of a sleeve or tubular shaft 66, the other end of such shaft being supported in a bearing block 67 having a portion passing through an opening in an upstanding end 94 of the casting 64 and a flange bolted against the face of such end. The sleeve shaft 66 has a collar 68 formed upon it for engaging the bearing block 67 which prevents movement in one direction. Movement in the other direction is prevented by the body portion 69 of a miter gear 70, the miter gear being fast upon the sleeve shaft 66 and its body portion 69 engaging the face of the bearing 65.

Rotation is imparted to the miter gear 70 and sleeve shaft 66 by means of a miter gear 71 fast upon the upper end of a shaft 72 which carries at its lower end a bevel pinion 73 in mesh with a bevel wheel 7 4 fast on the shaft 75 which is driven from the main shaft 39 by means of a bevel gear 76 meshing with a bevel pinion 77 fast on the shaft 75. i

There is shown mounted within the sleeve shaft 66 and projecting from both its ends a shaft 78. The shaft'78 is adapted to rotate with the sleeve shaft 66 in which it has its hearing, but is capable of longitudinal reciprocation therein, it having a longitudinal slot 7 9 which receives a key or pin 80 carried by I the sleeve 66.

The longitudinal movement of the shaft 78 is efiected by means of a shifting ring 81 fast upon its outer end. The shifting lever 82 which has a fork 83 for engaging the groove 84 in the ring 81 is pivoted to the machine frame at 85 and is operated from a cam wheel 86 rotated by means of a bevel gear 87 driven by a bevel pinion 88 mounted on the shaft 75. A suitable roller or cam pin 89 engages the cam groove 90 in the wheel 86, the roller 89 being carried by a link 91 pivoted to the lower end of the lever; 82.

The folding wheel 60 described above is mounted upon the inner end of the shaft 78.

The pressing device 63 which moves somewhat in the nature of chuck jaws is mounted and operated in the following manner:

A support is shown, see Fig. 11, in the nature of an internally screw threaded sleeve 92, formed with an enlarged base 93 surrounding the flange at the bearing block 67 and secured to the face of the upstanding portion 94 of the casting 6.4:. Within the sleeve 92 there is mounted a tubular member 95 having screw threaded engagement with the sleeve 92 and having an inturned flange 96 at its outer end which forms a bearing and support for a housing shell 97. The inner portion of this housing shell is of reduced outer diameter and carries a thrust bearing shown comprising a pair of rings 98, 99 between which there is a set of balls 100. One of these rings engages a shoulder at the reduced rear end of the shell; the other end is engaged by a screw nut 101. On the forward movement of the housing shell 97 the thrust bearing ring 98 engages the inturned flange 96, thus affording an antifriction stop, see Fig. 12. The shell 97 is caused to rotate with the shaft 78 by means of a key 7 8 which engages a suitable keyway in such shell, and which it may freely traverse to permit independent axial movement of the shaft.

Each of the pressing members 63 is formed on its inner end with a bevel face 102 engag ing the beveled enlarged end we of the shaft or stem 78 located immediately behind the folding wheel 60. Each of these pressing devices 63 is securely fastened to a body block 105, such body block being located in suitably formed slots in thg shell 97 and each mounted upon a pivot pin 106. These body blocks 105 are so formed that their individual movement and the inward movement of the pressing devices is in a measure controlled by their engagement with the stem 78. Their outward movement is controlled by a ring 107 which is screwed into the end of the member 97. The ring 107 is engaged by pins 108 upon which are mounted coiled springs 109 seated within the blocks 105 and adapted to move the blocks inwardly upon the retraction of the tapered head 104. The ring 107 also serves to limit the outward movement of the blocks .105 to which the jaws 63 are secured. The outer ends of these blocks extend outwardly radially so as to form an enlarged or long supporting surface for the jaws 63.

The forward end of the shaft or stem 78 is formed of reduced diameter, as at 110, leaving a forwardly facing shoulder which is shown engaging the rear face of a block 111 for enabling the shaft or stem to press the block forward. The block is shown formed with a number of pockets 112 in which are mounted compression springs 113, such springs being adapted to elastically or yieldingly advance a plate 1H upon the advance till of the or stem 78. These springs are steadied by means of pins 115 carried by the plate 114: and protruding through rearwardly formed openings in the baclr of the bloclr 111.

The operation of the mechanism shown in Figures 11, and 18 is substantially as follows:

W hen the cup is brought to the Fig. 11 station with the rim 16 as it was turned in at the first station, and while the various parts at the second rotate, the cam wheel. 86 advances the shaft or stem 78 thereby causing the wheel 60 to enter the inturned rim. The bevelled face 61 of the wheel 60 first engages the rim; afterwards the full perimeter 62 of the wheel engages such rim. During this forward movement of the shaft, the shoulder on such shaft engages the block 111 and the tapered head 104lengages the jaws but without lifting the same, the springs 113 being strong enough to resist compression during such forward movement and prevent relative movement between the shaft and the shell 97. l V hen the forward faces of the jaws (i3 engage the holder 17, further forward movement of the shell 97, upon which these jaws are pivoted throughtheblockslflo,isprevented, whereupon. the shaft '58 advances relato such shell, the springs 113 being compressed, and the tapered. head 10% expands the jaws against the inturned rim of the cup along the creased edge thereof. The rim is thus pressed or ironed down and made as compact as the nature of the material of which is formed will permit. i

Although but one form of my invention is shown in the drawings, which is designed for use in an existing machine, yet the improvements capable of wider use as may be re quired and variations may be made as occasion requires within'the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention Having described my invention, 1 claim and to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In paper cup machine, the combination with a series of cup holders, and a carrier adapted bring these sequentially into the WOIllD" stations of the machine, of means at n for preliminarily turning inwardly the runs of unfinished paper cups presented by such holders and comprising a compound die embodying an outer member and a plunger mounted for independent longtudinal movement therein, plurality of inwardly directed fingers carried by the outer member and having a recess in their forward face for engaging the edge of a cup and starting an inward bend, a plurality of outwardly directed fingers carried by the plunger and interfittiug with the inwardly directed fingers and adapted on the independent forward movement of the plunger to complete the inward bending, and means at a succeeding station for folding down the rims inturned at a previous station, and comprising shaft, and means for rotating and for reciprocating the shaft, a wheel on the shaft constructed and adapted to enter the cup and in so doing engage the inturned rim and fold it down, a body surrounding the shaft, and means connecting the body to the shaft for rotation therewith, the connecting means permitting free independent axial movement of the shaft, elastically yieldable nieans actuated by the shaft and active on e body for causin to move forward with the shaft and wheel, the parts being so formed that such movement is halted by the cup holder, a series of out wardly movable jaws mounted. on the for-- Ward end of the body and rearwarclly of the wheel, and means associated with the shaft for opening the aws and pressing them against the outer edge of the inturned rim upon the forward axial movement of the shaft independently of the body carrying such jaws.

2. In a paper cup machine embodying a number of working stations, means at one station comprising a compound die for preliminarily turning inwardly the rims of paper cups by a two-step operation, and cooperatively associated means at a second station for folding down by two-step operation the rims inturned at the previous station.

3. ln a paper cup machine embodying a number of working stations, means at one station for preliminarily turning inwardly the rims of paper cups by a two-step operation, and consisting of a compound die comprising a shell and a plunger, the shell being furnished with fingers resembling internal cogs having a recess in their forward face for engaging the edge of a cup and starting an inward bend, and the plunger being furnished with fingers resembling external cogs interfitting with the cogs carried by the outer member and adapted on the independent forward movement of the plunger to complete the inward bending of the edge of the cup, and cooperatively associated means at a second station for folding down by twostep operation the rims inturned at the previous station, and comprising a continuously rotating axially movable wheel adapted to enter a paper cup and roll upon and fold down the turned in rim of the cup, and a set of jaws adapted to follow the wheel into the cup and iron the folded down rim at and adjacent outer margin.

in a paper cup machine embodying a number of working stations, means at one station for preliminarily turning inwardly the rims of paper cups by a two-step operation, consisting of a compound die comprising a shell and a plunger, the shell being furnished with fingers resembling internal cogs having a recess in their forward face for engaging the edge of a cup and starting an inward bend, and the plunger being fur nished with fingers resembling external cogs interfitting with the cogs carried by the outer member and adapted on the independent forward movement of the plunger to complete the inward bending of the edge of the cup, and cooperatively associated means at a second station for folding down by a two-step operation the rims inturned at the previous station.

5. In a paper cup machine embodying a number of working stations, means at one station comprising a compound die for preliminarily turning inwardly the rims of paper cups by a two-step operation, and cooperatively associated means at a second stationfor folding down by a two-step operation the rims inturned at the previous station, comprising a continuously rotating axially movable wheel adapted to enter a paper cup and roll upon and fold down the turned in rim of the cup, and a set of jaws adapted to follow the wheel into the cup and iron the folded down rim at" and adjacent its outer margin.

6. In a paper cup machine, the combination with a series of cup holders and a carrier adapted to bring these sequentially into the working stations of the machine, of means at one station for preliminarily turning inwardly the rims of paper cups, and means at a succeeding station for folding down the rims inturned at a previous station, said second-mentioned means comprising a shaft, means for rotating and for reciprocating the shaft, a wheel on the shaft constructed and adapted to enter the cup and in so doing engage the inturned rim and fold it down, a body surrounding the shaft, means connecting the body to the shaft for rotationjtherewith, the connecting means permitting free independent axial movement of the shaft,

elastically yieldable means actuated by the shaft and active on the body for causing it to move forward with the shaft and wheel, the parts being so formed that such movement is halted by engagement between the body and the cup holder, a series of outwardly movable jaws mounted on the forward end of the body and rearwardly of the wheel, and means associated with the shaft for opening the jaws and pressing them against the outer edge of the inturned rim upon the forward axial movement of the shaft independently of the body carrying such jaws.

7. In a paper cup machine, the combination with a series of cup holders and a carrier adapted to bring these sequentially into the working stations of the machine, ofimeans at one station for preliminarily turning mwardly the rims of paper cups, and comprlsing a compound die embodying an outer member and a plunger mounted for independent longitudinal movement therein, a plurality of inwardly directed fingers carried by the outer member and having a recess in their forward face for engaging the edge of a cup and starting an inward bend, a plurality of outwardly directed fingers carried by the plunger and interfitting with the inwardl directed fingers and adapted on the indepencl ent forward movement of the plunger to complete the inward bending, and means at a succeeding station for folding down the rims inturned at a previous station.

8. In mechanism for turning in and closely folding down the rims of paper cups, the combination with a series of cup holders and a carrier for the cup holders adapted to index the cup holders sequentially into the working stations of the machine, of means at one station for preliminarily turning in wardly the rims of paper cups as these are indexed into such station, said means comprising a compound die embodying a shell and a plunger, the shell being furnished with fingers resembling internal cogs having a recess in their forward face for engaging the edge of a cup and starting an inward bend, and the plunger being furnished with fingers resembling external cogs interfitting with the cogs carried by the outer member and adapted on the independent forward movement of the plun er to complete the inward bending of the e ge of the cup.

9. In a paper cup machine the combination with a cup holder, of a compound die embodying two members, each formed with a circular series of fingers for engaging the edge of a paper cup, the fingers of the two series interfitting, means for positively advancing one of such members toward the cup holder, elastically yieldable means associated with the advancing means and the other member for advancing it against the cup holder, the organization being such that the series of fingers carried by the elastically advanced member initially act upon the edge of the cup, and that upon compression of the elastically yieldable means the fingers carried by the positively advanced member engage the edge and complete the turning in operation for this station.

10. In a paper cup machine, a compound die embodying two members, each formed with a circular series of fingers for engaging the edge of a paper cup, the fingers of the two series interfitting, means for positively advancing one of such members toward a positioned cup, elastically yieldable means associated with said members whereby the other member is held in advanced position relatively to said positively advanced member, the organization being such that the series of fingers carried by the elastically advanced memberinitially act upon the edge of the cup, and that upon resistance being offered to the advance of said other member, said positively advanced member advances with compression of the elastically yleldable means, whereby the fingers carried by such p sitively advanced member advance rela- 6 naiaa'm tively to the other member and engage the edge of the cup and complete the turning in operation for this station.

11. In a paper cup machine, the combina tion with a continuously rotating axially movable wheel adapted to enter a paper cup and roll upon and fold down the turned in rim of the cup, of a set of jaws adapted to follow the wheel into the cup and iron the folded down rim at and adjacent its outer margin.

12. In a paper cup machine, the combina tion with a continuously rotating axially movable wheel adapted to enter a paper cup and roll upon and fold down the turned in rim of the cup, of a set of jaws adapted to follow the wheel into the cup and iron the folded down rim at and adjacent its outer margin, a body rotatable with the wheel and upon which the jaws are pivotally mounted, elastically yieldable means for advancing the body upon the axial movement of the wheel, the jaws being for-med with circumferential faces for entering the cup and ironing the folded down rim and also with radially disposed faces for engaging the outer margin and the crease of the rim, means lo cated in position for halting the advance of the body, and means for thereafter expanding the jaws.

13. In a paper cup machine, the combination with a series of cup holders and a carrier adapted to bring these sequentially into the working stations of the machine, of means at one station comprising a compound die for preliminarily turning inwardly the rims of paper cups by a two-step operation, at :l means at the succeeding station for closely folding down the rims inturned at the previous station, said second mentioned means comprising a member constructed and adapted to enter the cup and in so doing engage the inturned rim and fold it down, a body, connectin means between the body and member or permitting free independent axial movement of the said member, elastically yieldable means for advancing the body upon the axial movement of the said member the parts being so formed and related that such movement of the body is halted by engagement with the cup holder, a series of outwardly movable jaws mounted on the forward end of the body, and means associated with said member for opening the jaws and pressing them against the outer edge of the inturned rim upon the forward axial movement of the member independently of the body carrying such jaws.

14. In a paper cup machine, the combination with a series of cup holders and a carrier adapted to bring these sequentially into the working stations of the machine, of means at one station comprising a compound die for preliminarily turning inwardly the rims of paper cups by a two-step operation, and

means at the succeeding station for closely folding down the rims inturned at the previous station, said second mentioned means comprising a wheel and means for rotating and reciprocating it, the wheel being conbody upon the axial movement of the said wheel, the parts being so formed and related that such movement of the body is halted by engagement with the cup holder, a series of outwardly movable jaws mounted on the forward end of the body, and means associated with said wheels for opening the jaws and pressing them against the outer edge of the inturned rim upon the forward axial movement of the wheel independently of the body carrying such jaws.

15. In a paper cup machine, the combination with a con inuously rotating axially movable wheel and means for so moving the wheel as to cause it to enter a paper cup and roll upon and fold down the turned in rim of the cup, of a set of expansible jaws and means for forwarding these and-causing them to follow the wheel into the cup and iron the folded down rim at and adjacent its outer margin, and means associated with the said wheel moving means for expanding the jaws after these have entered the cup.

16. In a paper cup machine, the combination with a series of cup holders and a carrier adapted to bring these sequentially into the working stations of the machine, of means at one station for perliminarily turning inwardly the rims of paper cups, and means at the succeeding station for closely folding down the rims inturned at the previous station, said second mentioned means comprising a wheel, means for rotating and reciproeating it, the wheel being constructed and adapted to enter the cup and in so doing engage the inturned rim and foldit down, a body, connecting means between the body and wheel for permitting free independent axial movement of such wheel, means for causing the body to move forward with the said wheel, the parts being so formed and related that such movement of the body is halted by engagement with the cup holder, a series of outwardly movable jaws mounted on the forward end of the body, and means associated with the wheel for opening the jaws and pressing them against the outer edge of the inturned rim upon the forward axial movement of the wheel independently of the body carrying such jaws.

17. In a paper cup machine, the combination with a series of cup holders and a carrier adapted to bring these sequentially into the working stations of the machine, of means at one station for preliminary turning inwardly the rims of paper cups, and means at the succeeding station for closely folding down the rims inturne-d at the previous station, said second mentioned means comprising a continuously rotating axially movable Wheel and means for so moving the Wheel and causing it to enter a paper cup and roll upon and fold down the turned inrim of the cup, a set of expansible jaws and means for forwarding these and causing them to follow the Wheel into the cup and iron the folded down rim at and adjacent its outer margin, and means associated with the said wheel moving means for expanding the jaws 'after they have entered the cup.

- 18. In a machine of the character described, the combinationwith a cup engaging die embodying a reciprocating plunger and shaft, of means for reciprocatlng these'comprising a grooved shifter collar fast on the shaft, a rock shaft, a shifter fork on the rock shaft having fingers for engaging the groove in the collar, a sleeve shaft surrounding a portion of the rock shaft, means for rotating thesleeve shaft, a wheel provided with a groove fast with the sleeve shaft, a rock arm carried by the rock shaft, a counter rock shaft, an arm carried thereby, a link connecting such arm and therock arm, and a second arm carried by the counter rock shaft and having a cam engaging member running in the cam groove.

Signed at Brooklyn, N. Y., this tenth day of February, 1930.

CHARLES F. SMITH. 

